Invisalign

Your Trusted Pediatric Dentistry in Boerne, TX

It’s our mission at Boerne Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry to be the premier choice for orthodontics and pediatric dentistry in the Boerne and Fair Oaks, TX areas. Our friendly and professional staff strive to deliver the highest quality dentistry and orthodontic treatment while providing a relaxing environment for you and your family. We’re proud to deliver a wide variety of both pediatric dentistry and orthodontic treatments, so you can rest assured that your every oral care concern can be addressed.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

When you hear the word “orthodontics,” you likely picture a young teenager with a metal-clad smile. Indeed, there are many orthodontic patients who would fit that description. However, orthodontics has greatly evolved over the past several years and there now exists an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces: Invisalign clear aligners!

As the name implies, Invisalign clear aligners are made of nearly invisible polyurethane plastic. Rather than being cemented or bonded to the teeth as metal or clear braces are, these clear aligners are completely removable— for important social occasions, eating, and, most importantly, for brushing and flossing teeth. Some other advantages of the Invisalign system are:

Improved Oral Hygiene: With an orthodontic appliance that is removable, you will be able to clean your teeth much more easily than if you had metal braces.

A Discreet Look: If you consider your orthodontic treatment to be a private matter, or simply feel that metal braces don't fit with your self-image, a practically invisible form of orthodontic treatment is the perfect solution.

More Dietary Choices: To protect metal wires and braces, some dietary modifications are necessary with traditional braces. With Invisalign clear aligners, you can still bite into a crisp apple or a juicy steak!

Comfort: The soft, flexible material of which Invisalign is made will not irritate the soft tissues of the mouth, as metal wires and braces can.

Teeth Grinding Protection: If you have a teeth-grinding or clenching habit, clear aligners can function as thin nightguards that will protect your teeth from excessive wear.

Clear aligner technology has been improving over the years and can correct many malocclusions that once would have been too complicated for this form of treatment. However, there are still some situations for which traditional braces would be best. Your trusted children’s orthodontist at Boerne Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry would be happy to discuss this in detail with you if you have any questions.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign clear aligners work the same way traditional braces do: they apply carefully controlled force to teeth to move them into a better position. However, unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners are not made of metal and are instead made of clear, flexible plastic.

Here's how it works: Specialized computer software helps your orthodontist design a plan for moving your teeth from their current positions into the ideal alignment. This movement will be broken down into as many as several dozen stages. For each stage, you will have two plastic mouth “trays” or “aligners”— one to fit over your top row of teeth and one for the bottom row. You will wear this first set of trays for two weeks, for a minimum of 20 hours each day. You will then move on to the next set of aligners in your series for the next stage of gradual movement. You will keep doing this until your teeth are correctly aligned.

In the past several years, two features have been added to make Invisalign a more appropriate orthodontic treatment method for teenagers:

Special “eruption tabs” hold the appropriate amount of space open for molars that have not fully grown in.

Invisalign for teens also comes with “compliance indicators” built into the aligner material, which fade with wear. This allows parents, orthodontists, and the teens themselves to make sure the trays are being worn as prescribed. Treatment with Invisalign can only be successful if this is the case!

Caring for Your Teeth During Invisalign Treatment

As mentioned above, one of the main advantages of the Invisalign system is that the trays can be removed for easy cleaning— so please don't neglect to clean your Invisalign trays! You'll need to brush your teeth after every meal or snack so that food and plaque don’t get trapped in the aligners, which could promote tooth decay and gum disease. You’ll need to regularly clean your aligners by gently brushing them and then rinsing them with lukewarm water.

Please also keep in mind that, while wearing Invisalign clear aligners is very different from wearing braces, the importance of retaining your post-treatment results is exactly the same. You'll want to be sure to wear your retainer(s) exactly as prescribed after your treatment is completed in order to protect your investment in a beautiful, healthy new smile!

Visit Your Pediatric Dentistry in Boerne and Fair Oaks, TX Today!

If you’ve been searching for a pediatric dentist you can trust in the Boerne and Fair Oaks area, look no further than Boerne Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry! Dr. VandeBerg, Dr. Frere, and Dr. Campbell, along with our friendly team of orthodontic professionals are prepared to create a hassle-free orthodontic treatment plan for you and your family’s unique needs. What are you waiting for? Contact us today to schedule your appointment or fill out our easy online form. We look forward to meeting you!

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